Electra Powerhouse - PG&E - Jackson, California

Lillian

For folks that appreciate history and nature, this is a place to check out. The Electra Powerhouse was built in 1902. It was designed by Stanford University engineers. It supplied electricity to folks as far away as San Francisco, which has s about 150 miles away. It has five generators and produced 10,000 kilowatts of electricity. That was quite an impressive feat at the time considering the powerhouse produced 8 times more electricity than its current counterparts. The main powerhouse still stands, all though probably not the exact same original structure.

Currently the powerhouse is still used. A pipe carries water down the hill into the powerhouse and then the water spills into the North Fork of Mokelumne River. You can hear the hum of the generators. The powerhouse and area near the spillway and river is fenced off. The fence is chain link so you can see through it. The building is not open to the public.

In its heyday in the early 1900s, the land around the powerhouse contained housing for employees and a general store. There are a few basic remnants of some of those brick structures. They are in an area open to visitors. There is not much to look at and can be viewed in under 15 minutes.

But let me tell you, the road to get here is mostly unpaved and narrow one lane with blind curves. The powerhouse is at the very end of the road. You’ll pass by a couple of picnic river access areas with restrooms. The parking lots were unpaved and on the smallish size. The lots fill up quickly on the weekend.

And last but not least is my public safety announcement. Please take caution when venturing into the water. Don’t go into the river near the powerhouse due to the unexpected water releases. If you go into the water, do say further away from the spillway and stay in the calm sheltered shallows.

Erin D.

I love this place! But the river can be super dangerous so please make sure to keep yourself, and your kids and dogs safe!

Jason F.

Nice views, not many people here, hike around. Good perspective of dam. Spend 10-15 min here. No Bathrooms.

C R.

Nice place to explore, use caution around the spillway. No staff of any kind on duty here. You can walk up to the power plant. Restrooms located quite a ways back along Electra road (the way you came in). Some old structures that have been just about eliminated by time.

Shortee S.

An awesome place to see old history. Hope it's around for a long time.

jaime C.

Recovering from the July 4th fires.

Arthur W.

Beautiful 😍

Edagar R.